was instigated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was instigated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or event was initiated or provoked by someone or something. Example: "The conflict was instigated by a series of misunderstandings between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mine was instigated by a divorce.

The New Yorker

Haye claims the fracas was instigated by Chisora.

Independent

A lot of that stuff was instigated by them.

The New York Times

The bill was instigated by the then home secretary, Theresa May, in 2012.

The Guardian - Tech

The regulators said they thought the improper trading in variable annuities was instigated by hedge funds.

The New York Times

According to eyewitnesses, the rioting was instigated by young men who were intent on starting violence.

The New York Times - Sports

The tau movement was instigated by theoretical physicist Dr Michael Hartl, who launched Tau Day to forward the cause.

The Guardian - Tech

The project was instigated by the Dumbo Improvement District, whose executive director, Tucker Reed, pushed for it.

The New York Times

Mr. Edwards's return to printmaking was instigated by Robert Blackburn of the Printmaking Workshop in New York's East Village.

The New York Times

But there has not yet been a single incident where the niqab debate was instigated by Muslim women themselves.

The Guardian

Zephyrinus died during the persecution of Christians that was instigated by the Roman emperor Lucius Septimius Severus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was instigated by" when you want to emphasize the proactive role of a specific agent or factor in initiating an event or action. It suggests a deliberate or influential start.

Common error

Avoid using "was instigated by" when the actual initiator is unclear or unknown. This phrase implies a clear origin, so use alternatives like "was influenced by" or "occurred due to" if the source is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was instigated by" functions as a passive construction indicating causation or origination. It specifies the agent or factor that initiated a particular event, action, or process. Ludwig shows this use across a variety of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was instigated by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys causation, pinpointing the initiator of an event or action. Ludwig highlights its common presence across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, lending itself to a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember that the expression implies a clear and influential start and is best used when there is a definite agent or factor responsible for initiating the action. Alternatives like "was initiated by" or "was prompted by" can be considered for slight variations in meaning or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initiated by

Focuses on the start or commencement of something, similar to 'instigated' but with a more neutral connotation.

was prompted by

Highlights the element that encouraged or caused the action, implying a direct stimulus.

was triggered by

Emphasizes that a specific event acted as a catalyst, causing something to happen suddenly.

was caused by

A more direct and general expression of causation, suitable for a wide range of contexts.

was started by

A simpler and more informal way to indicate the beginning or origin of something.

was brought about by

Indicates that something was caused to happen, often by a series of events or actions.

was generated by

Suggests that something was produced or created as a result of a particular cause.

was set in motion by

Implies a series of actions or events that were started by an initial cause.

stemmed from

Suggests that something originated or developed from a particular source or cause.

arose from

Indicates that something emerged or originated as a consequence of a specific situation or event.

FAQs

How can I use "was instigated by" in a sentence?

Use "was instigated by" to show what or who started something, like "The riot "was instigated by" a group of protesters".

What phrases are similar to "was instigated by"?

Similar phrases include "was initiated by", "was prompted by", or "was triggered by". Each has slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it correct to say "the event was instigated on someone"?

No, the correct usage is "was instigated by". The preposition "by" indicates who or what started the event or action.

What's the difference between "was instigated by" and "was caused by"?

"Was instigated by" implies a deliberate or intentional start, while "was caused by" is a more general term for something that led to a result. For example, a war "was instigated by" political tensions, but "was caused by" a combination of factors.